Surveyors and Quotes

konn1ch1ha

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bed house for £95k. I've been quoted £540 from GoTo Surveys for a homebuyers report through the estate agents. Are there any more competitive surveyors I should be aware of and is it better to go independently rather than through the estate agents? 

TIA 

MaryNB

konn1ch1ha said:

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bed house for £95k. I've been quoted £540 from GoTo Surveys for a homebuyers report through the estate agents. Are there any more competitive surveyors I should be aware of and is it better to go independently rather than through the estate agents? 

TIA 

Do you know anybody who has sold their house in you area recently? They may be able to recommend some local surveyors. 

The problem with using the estate agent's surveyor is that they are recommending them not because they are good but because there's probably a financial incentive for the agent. No obvious benefit to you.

user1977

MaryNB said:

konn1ch1ha said:

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bed house for £95k. I've been quoted £540 from GoTo Surveys for a homebuyers report through the estate agents. Are there any more competitive surveyors I should be aware of and is it better to go independently rather than through the estate agents? 

The problem with using the estate agent's surveyor is that they are recommending them not because they are good but because there's probably a financial incentive for the agent.

And because in general they've got a much cosier relationship with the agent than with you. How likely are they to advise you to avoid buying the house?

konn1ch1ha

MaryNB said:

konn1ch1ha said:

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bed house for £95k. I've been quoted £540 from GoTo Surveys for a homebuyers report through the estate agents. Are there any more competitive surveyors I should be aware of and is it better to go independently rather than through the estate agents? 

TIA 

Do you know anybody who has sold their house in you area recently? They may be able to recommend some local surveyors. 

The problem with using the estate agent's surveyor is that they are recommending them not because they are good but because there's probably a financial incentive for the agent. No obvious benefit to you.

No, I am new to the area and do not know anyone living there, I'll take a look on Google. Thanks for the advice, I though the same. 

konn1ch1ha

user1977 said:

MaryNB said:

konn1ch1ha said:

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bed house for £95k. I've been quoted £540 from GoTo Surveys for a homebuyers report through the estate agents. Are there any more competitive surveyors I should be aware of and is it better to go independently rather than through the estate agents? 

The problem with using the estate agent's surveyor is that they are recommending them not because they are good but because there's probably a financial incentive for the agent.

And because in general they've got a much cosier relationship with the agent than with you. How likely are they to advise you to avoid buying the house?

Indeed. It's an astute position to take. I'll have a look at local surveyors. 

Tracet74

GoTo are just a panel manager so they will farm the work out to a different company.  You could try:

https://www.reallymoving.com/
or
https://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/

Be warned - you will get contacted by a raft of different companies and you should research whoever you choose by the reviews.

kingstreet

Taking a mortgage?

Lender surveyor may do valuation and your Homebuyer's at the same time for a smaller overall cost. For example, Nationwide offers free valuation and cost of Homebuyer's is only £225; or £440 for a chartered building survey.

konn1ch1ha

Tracet74 said:

GoTo are just a panel manager so they will farm the work out to a different company.  You could try:

https://www.reallymoving.com/
or
https://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/

Be warned - you will get contacted by a raft of different companies and you should research whoever you choose by the reviews.

I'm not sure if they are a panel manager as the email/quotes/application pack are from GoTo Surveys but the HomeBuyer example pack just says RICS Home Surveys, is this an independent surveyor recruited by GoTo?

Thanks for the link. Will check out. If I go independently, how to the surveyors access the property?

konn1ch1ha

kingstreet said:

Taking a mortgage?

Lender surveyor may do valuation and your Homebuyer's at the same time for a smaller overall cost. For example, Nationwide offers free valuation and cost of Homebuyer's is only £225; or £440 for a chartered building survey.

No mortgage. 

MaryNB

RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. It provided the standards and guidance for Home Buyers Reports. It's not a surveying company

konn1ch1ha

MaryNB said:

RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. It provided the standards and guidance for Home Buyers Reports. It's not a surveying company

If the RICS logo is on the GoTo email/pack that can only be a good thing, right?

The email also has this list:

• Loyalty - a valuation is for the lender not for you and you will receive no information on the state of the property. A surveyor will act in your best interest and will not jeopardise your mortgage.
• Independence - your surveyor reports back to you not your estate agent or your bank, as members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors this is part of their code of conduct.
• Attendance – if the valuation is free then the bank will probably do a desk top valuation and will not attend in person.
• Experience – all our surveyors are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, will be local and you can have contact with them personally.
• Recommended – GOTO is the only company that has been recommended to contact you. Please be mindful of who you give your personal information to.
• Speed – open 7 days a week.
• Peace of Mind – understand the condition of your property before buying.
• Price Promise – We are confident we can get you the best deal. If you find it cheaper we will match it and you will have all of the benefits above with the assurance of the best deal.